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CLASS VI. PORIFERA.* 



THE creatures of this Class, familiarly known by 

 the name of Sponges, exhibit the very lowest state 

 of animal life ; so low, indeed, that there is great 

 difficulty in proving their animal nature at all. 

 Firmly rooted to the rock on which it grows, like a 



* Ilogosiporns, a pore, and ^u^pliero^ to bear. 



